Caracterização dos fatores dificultadores do diagnóstico precoce do câncer de boca por cirurgiões-dentistas do serviço público de saúde do Estado do Espírito Santo – um estudo transversal
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Data
2025-07-17
Autores
Martins, Bárbara Campo Dall’Orto
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Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo
Resumo
Oral cancer represents a serious public health issue in Brazil, characterized by high morbidity and mortality rates, largely due to late-stage diagnosis. Primary Health Care (PHC), as the preferred entry point to the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS), plays a strategic role in the early detection of the disease, particularly through the work of dental surgeons. This cross-sectional study aimed to identify the main barriers to the early diagnosis of oral cancer within the PHC network in the state of Espírito Santo, Brazil. A structured questionnaire was applied to 248 dental surgeons, alongside an analysis of diagnostic support infrastructure data. The findings revealed low service resolvability, evidenced by the limited performance of biopsies among PHC professionals (16.13%), a high rate of insecurity in diagnosing potentially malignant lesions (64.5%), and lack of knowledge regarding institutional referral pathways. Among professionals who reported limited knowledge and low confidence in diagnosing oral potentially malignant disorders, 47.9% stated they did not feel capable of performing a biopsy (p < 0.001). These results suggest that limited practical training and structural deficiencies compromise the effectiveness of PHC, highlighting the need for integrated continuing education initiatives, expansion of diagnostic support networks, and stronger coordination across levels of care.
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Atenção Primária à Saúde , Câncer de boca , Diagnóstico precoce